No bail for cop-stab suspect

Saturday

Feb 9, 2013 at 2:00 AM

GOSHEN — The Poughkeepsie man charged with slashing a police officer's neck and stabbing two other men was arraigned Friday in Orange County Court on an indictment charging him with attempted first- and second-degree murder, assault and other felonies.

BY HEATHER YAKIN

GOSHEN — The Poughkeepsie man charged with slashing a police officer's neck and stabbing two other men was arraigned Friday in Orange County Court on an indictment charging him with attempted first- and second-degree murder, assault and other felonies.

Officials say City of Newburgh police Officer Eric Henderson was trying to take Larry Gantt Jr., 35, into custody early on Nov. 3 — a Saturday — outside the Dry Dock Nightclub at 90 Broadway in Newburgh when Gantt stabbed the officer in the back, arm and neck. Police had responded to a fight outside the club, where a large crowd had gathered.

Henderson and one of the two other men who was stabbed were taken to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, to be treated for serious injuries.

Gantt was charged in the attack the same day, and arraigned in his bed at Westchester Medical Center. He was taken to the trauma center to be treated for stab wounds he suffered before police intervened. He's been held at Orange County Jail without bail since his release from the hospital.

On Friday, he entered court using a walker. He leaned on the walker through the brief arraignment.

Assistant District Attorney Seth Altman asked Judge Nicholas De Rosa to set bail at $500,000 cash or $1 million bond. Altman argued that the seriousness of the crime — the attempted killing of a police officer — and Gantt's previous record warrant the high bail. Altman said Gantt has more than one previous felony.

Gantt's record is nonviolent, his lawyer, Dawn Florio of New York City, told the judge. She told the court she'll file her arguments in a formal application for bail.

De Rosa said he'll maintain Gantt on a no-bail status until Florio files her bail application.

After court, and after Florio had a chance to confer at length with Gantt, she said her client will fight the charges.

"He never intended to hurt anybody,' Florio said, "He was just trying to save his own life."

Florio said Gantt had been stabbed seven times and was on the ground when police arrived; he had no idea a police officer was grabbing him and acted to defend himself. Gantt's injuries have required surgeries, she said and caused organ damage, she said.